Learn About Finding Medical Examiners in Your Area

What Medical Examiners Do and Why You Might Need One

A medical examiner is a physician trained in forensic pathology who investigates unusual or suspicious deaths. Medical examiners perform autopsies, determine causes of death, and work with law enforcement to gather information about how someone died. Unlike coroners—who are elected officials and may not have medical training—medical examiners must have a medical degree and specialized training in death investigation.

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Medical examiners handle deaths that fall outside normal circumstances. These include deaths from violence, accidents, poisoning, sudden illnesses without prior medical care, deaths in custody, and cases where the cause of death is unknown. They also investigate deaths that occur during surgery or shortly after a medical procedure. When someone dies at home without a doctor present, a medical examiner may be called to determine what happened.

The work of a medical examiner affects families, law enforcement, insurance companies, and the court system. If your family member has died unexpectedly, the medical examiner's office will investigate and provide official documentation of the cause and manner of death. This information becomes part of the death certificate, which is needed for insurance claims, legal proceedings, and settling a person's estate. Medical examiners also testify in court about their findings when cases go to trial.

The manner of death—determined by the medical examiner—is classified as natural, accidental, suicide, homicide, or undetermined. This classification can have serious legal and financial consequences. Families may need to contact the medical examiner's office to request copies of reports, understand findings, or discuss next steps. Understanding what medical examiners do helps you know when and how to reach out to their office if needed.

Takeaway: Medical examiners are licensed physicians who investigate unexpected deaths and provide official cause-of-death determinations. Knowing their role helps you understand the process if your family is affected by an unexpected death.

Finding the Medical Examiner's Office in Your County or State

The medical examiner's office that serves your area depends on where you live. Unlike some services, there is not a single national medical examiner. Instead, each county or state region has its own office. Some large cities have their own medical examiner's office, while smaller counties may share a regional office or contract with a private medical examiner.

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To find the right office, start by identifying your county. Your county name appears on your voter registration, driver's license, property tax documents, or vehicle registration. Once you know your county, search online for "[Your County Name] Medical Examiner" or "[Your County Name] Coroner's Office." Many counties have websites that list office contact information, hours, and the process for requesting records.

If an online search doesn't yield results, contact your county clerk's office or the county sheriff's department. Staff members at these offices can direct you to the medical examiner or coroner who serves your area. Some counties use the title "medical examiner," while others use "coroner." In some places, the office is part of the county health department. The person answering the phone can clarify the correct office for your location.

State medical examiner systems vary widely. Some states have a centralized state medical examiner's office that oversees local offices. Others have a decentralized system where each county operates independently. A few states use only coroners rather than medical examiners. If you're searching for records from a death that occurred in another state, start with that state's health department website, which often has links to local medical examiner offices.

Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston have large medical examiner's offices that handle thousands of cases each year. These offices often have more detailed websites with information about their procedures, staff credentials, and frequently asked questions. Even if you live in a smaller area, the nearest large city's medical examiner website may provide helpful information about how the system works.

Takeaway: Find your county medical examiner by searching online for "[County Name] Medical Examiner," or contact your county clerk or sheriff's office for referral information.

Accessing Medical Examiner Records and Information

Medical examiner records are typically considered public documents, though access rules vary by state and county. The most commonly requested record is the cause and manner of death, which appears on the death certificate. Death certificates are issued by the vital records office in your state (usually part of the state health department), not by the medical examiner's office directly. You can order a certified copy of a death certificate online, by mail, or in person from the vital records office.

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More detailed information about an investigation—such as autopsy findings, investigator's reports, and scene photographs—may be available through the medical examiner's office itself. Requesting this information requires contacting the office directly. Some offices have formal request procedures, while others handle requests informally over the phone. You may need to provide the deceased person's full name, date of death, and your relationship to the person to verify that you have a legitimate reason to access the records.

Records may be restricted if a case is still under active investigation or is involved in pending criminal proceedings. If law enforcement requests that records remain sealed, the medical examiner cannot release them until the restriction is lifted. Some states have laws that protect the privacy of certain people involved in a case, such as minors or crime victims. Understanding these restrictions helps explain why you might not immediately receive all information you request.

The process for obtaining records varies by office size and location. A small county office might handle requests quickly by phone, while a large city office may require a written request submitted online, by mail, or in person. Some offices charge fees for copies, though fees are often modest (typically $10 to $30 per document). The medical examiner's office website or staff can explain the specific procedures in your area and what information is available to you.

If you need information for a specific reason—such as settling an insurance claim or completing legal proceedings—mention this when contacting the office. Staff members may be able to expedite certain requests or direct you to the specific document you need rather than requesting entire case files.

Takeaway: Contact your state's vital records office for death certificates, and contact the medical examiner's office directly to request additional investigation records. Be prepared to verify your relationship to the deceased and understand that some records may be restricted.

When to Contact Your Local Medical Examiner

You may need to contact the medical examiner's office in several situations. If someone you know has died suddenly or unexpectedly, and no doctor was present at the time of death, the medical examiner's office will likely be contacted by emergency responders or law enforcement. You don't need to initiate this contact—it will happen automatically. However, after the investigation is complete, you may contact the office to learn the results.

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Families often contact the medical examiner's office to discuss findings, get copies of autopsy reports, or understand how a death was classified. If you believe there was an error in the cause of death determination, you can request to speak with the medical examiner or investigator. Some offices hold meetings with families to explain their findings. These conversations may help you understand what happened and answer questions.

Attorneys representing families sometimes contact the medical examiner's office to obtain records for wrongful death lawsuits, insurance disputes, or other legal matters. The office staff can explain what documents are available and the process for obtaining them through legal channels if needed. Businesses and organizations may also contact the office for information relevant to their operations (for example, a hospital seeking to understand a patient death).

If you have concerns about an investigation or believe something was overlooked, contact the medical examiner's office to express your concerns. While a second opinion or new investigation cannot always be pursued, explaining your concerns creates a record. In some cases, if new evidence emerges, an investigation can be reopened or a cause of death can be amended.

You should also contact the medical examiner if you're trying to locate records from a historical death—for example, researching family history or accessing records needed for inheritance purposes. Many offices maintain archives of old cases, though records from very old deaths may have been transferred to state archives or destroyed according to retention policies.

Takeaway: Contact the medical examiner's office to request investigation results, obtain records, discuss findings, or express concerns about how a death was investigated.

Understanding Medical Examiner Qualifications and Credentials

A medical examiner must hold a medical degree (M.D. or D.O.) and have completed medical school and resid

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